Chapter8
“Mr. Mayor.”Lola nudged his arm. “May I please have a word?” She forced a smile, hoping the mix of businesswoman and femme fatale that her long black gown suggested would help her get into his good graces. Or at least grab his attention so she could pitch her idea and ask for him to expedite the business license.
Arnold Wright, the sixty something man, a tad shorter than her and with a burgeoning belly, mumbled something to the small group he talked to and turned to her, the bona fide politician’s smile forming on his lips. “Yes?”
Handing her old Ford to the valet had been embarrassing, when most of the other guests had driven up in sleek sports cars or limited edition, top-of-the-line trucks. Arriving alone at the lavish party where she didn’t recognize a soul had been intimidating, given most of them looked like they came from traditional old money families.
“I visited your office to get a license, but they told me I had to schedule an appointment withyou.”
“And?” He nodded, his smile narrowing.
“Well, I’m on a time crunch, and hoped you could make an exception. I’d really appreciate yourhelp.”
“The thing is…” he started, and looked over her shoulder to greet a passerby. With a wave, he continued, eyes following everyone in the huge salon but her. “It’s hard to make exceptions. There’s a procedure for a reason.”
Red tape. “I know, but I’ll be so grateful if you just hear meout.”
He tapped her bare shoulder. “Sure. Call my assistant Sue, she’ll schedule something.”
Lola’s hands curled and uncurled. Assistant? The man blatantly brushed her off, and without a shadow of interest in her plea. Crap. If only Daddy…
Enough. A bolt of determination traveled through her. She blinked. In slow motion, she watched him walk around her. No freaking way. She gave herself a mental slap, and grasped his elbow, causing him to turn to her with a frown on hisface.
“Mr. Mayor, I’m Lola St. James. I’m turning my ranch property into a bed and breakfast. I hear you’re up for re-election, and I’m sure the voters will appreciate more jobs injected in town, especially in this economy,” she said with enough confidence to remove her hand from his arm. He raised his eyebrow, and she knew she had his attention.
“I hear you sweetheart, but how will a bed and breakfast influence my voters?”
“It’s a luxury bed and breakfast. It’ll bring guests with money, who’ll be going to your restaurants, souvenir shops, and I also have plans for expansion to create daytime activities which will require more local staff.”
A sigh. “And what do you need from me again?”
Hope filled her. This is going to work. And I’m doing this on my own. “I need you to sign the license and grant me permission to start working on adding the signs to the main highways leading to my B&B,” she said, injecting energy in her voice.
He leaned back, sizing her up as if figuring out if she was worth his time. “Where is it located?”
“Red Oak Ranch.”
His brows furrowed, and he shook his head, skeptical. “Hhhm. That’s where Jack Canyon lives.”
Was their marriage such an embarrassment for Jack he didn’t even mention it to his current acquaintances? They had wedded in California—where Jack had been living at the time while he ensured his properties there took off. “Yes. We’re... married. Sort of complicated. Anyway. He’s on board, so that’s all you need to know.” Did she lie? Maybe a little white lie. He didn’t want her to open the B&B per se, but they were now friends, and friends supported one another. She swallowed.
“Okay.” He reached into the inside pocket of his suit and withdrew a business card, then handed it to her. “My cell phone number is on there. Call me on Monday and we’ll sort thisout.”
She felt like kissing the top of his baldhead, then waltzing across the ballroom. Yes! Good news at last. “Thankyou.”
“Mayor,” a deep voice said from behindher.
She turned on her heels. A dry spell worked its way down her throat, thickening it, making it hard to breathe. With damp hair slicked back and dressed in a spotless black suit and crisp white shirt with a sexy bow tie, Jack made her mouth water. Smooth and dangerous. Sexy and intriguing.
His gaze met hers and it trailed down, analyzing the vintage Versace long gown she hadn’t had the heart to sell in LA. A high slit revealed her leg at every movement, grabbing attention since the rest of the dress was surprisingly modest.
“Jack.” The mayor’s smile broadened. “So nice of you to make it this time. I was just discussing our plans to improve local tourism with this charming young woman.”
Our plans?Mayor Wright could be small town, but he was a politician all right. She stretched to her full height, anxious to see Jack’s reaction. Damn it. His approval shouldn’t matter. It so shouldnot.
“She gave me a great idea,” the mayor continued.
“Has she?” A spark flickered in Jack’s eyes, and it had the power to twist her insides. She lifted her chin and held his gaze as goose bumps rose on her arm. A vibrant, latent energy passed between her and Jack. For how much longer would they be able to suppressit?
